New Year, New Outlook

This little re-purposed silo is a small chapel that's accessible 24/7 at the nearby Fox River UCC.  I think I've posted it before, a long time ago - but it seemed so lovely against the stark, snowy gray day that I had to take another look.

The outside stained glass window is new. Inside it's a bit chilly, but homey. A little stone bench gives one a place to sit and contemplate or pray. There is a mini-alter that even has a velvet padded kneeler for comfort. And of course, the simple wooden cross to remind us of the chapel's purpose. There is a small, red eternal flame lantern that is suspended below a tiny stained glass window in the corner as well.  The scene shows a dove carrying an olive branch, the symbol of peace.

Remember the Night

One of my new favorite Christmas movies is called "Remember the Night" starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray from 1940.  It was a largely overlooked film until Turner Classic Movies (TCM) introduced it into their holiday schedule a few years ago.  A feel-good relationship story with a few tears and a great historical peek into the past, it includes a lovely performance by Beulah Bondi (George Bailey's mother in "It's a Wonderful Life") and a whimsical turn by character actor Sterling Holloway. Stanwyck, as usual, plays a bad girl with a good heart like no one else.

I recently purchased the video from Amazon for my personal collection, and curled up with a cup of steaming hot coffee and piece of home-made Blueberry Crumble Pie to watch it.

Christmas Farmstead

This small farm is just off Cecelia Road in the Village of Pewaukee. Most of the land around it has been eaten up by housing and retail developments. Even so, it's nice to see the owners display their Christmas spirit by hanging a large wreath on their barn.

The Road Less Traveled

Another long, quiet, snowy driveway right off Swan Road. I can almost hear the bells of a horse-drawn sleigh in the distance...

What Christmas is All About

One of our neighbors has a simple creche template/cut-out with a white spotlight shining upon it. Let's remember that this representation of the birth of Jesus is the reason for this season.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Roger - Over and Out!

No reindeer for this Santa - he's got his little propeller plane and has been cleared for take-off on this runway lit by holiday bulbs.

Frosty the Snowman

All lit up and ready to party! Since Frosty is air-filled, there is a very loud wooshing sound with this particular display, which scared poor Nik when she got close enough to sniff.

"Thumpity-thump-thump, thumpity-thump-thump, look at Frosty go!" - Now, that might really be a little scary if he started to walk away. Fortunately, he is tethered down to the ground.

Don't look a gift cow in the mouth.

Another house in our subdivision has this pedestrian cow delivering a Christmas present to their front door. Since Wisconsin is "America's Dairyland," there's probably a nice wheel of aged cheddar inside!

Snowman Lamp Post

Similar to the Halloween pumpkin lamp post covers I posted earlier this fall, many of the neighbors have put a top-hatted snowman on top of their lights this holiday season. Below is another view taken from a distance.

Holiday Spirit x10!

This holiday light display is located on One Mile Road in Lisbon, WI. It's a residential street, just a mile long, ending with a farm house that sells Christmas trees.

Believe it or not, this house has actually cut-back the number of decorations they usually put up. In addition to what's currently there, last year they had a ten foot high revolving globe that said "Peace on Earth" in the front yard. You can also see just the corner of their back deck on the left hand side of this image, which is also lit up. Not visible in this photo is a giant lighted wreath hanging from the side of their house. Someone has to keep the electric company in business :-)

More Christmas Greetings

Another neighborhood Christmas light display. (Be sure to click image to see larger view.)

Ho-Ho-Ho

The neighborhood Halloween decorations have now been replaced with ones for Christmas. This air-inflated Santa waves to us as we pass by our neighbor's garage.

O, Christmas Tree

It started to snow here this evening - the first real storm of the season. While taking Nik for her evening walk around the neighborhood, we got a nice view of all the holiday lights and decorations that people have put out this year. This large Christmas tree was just beautiful, although because it's snowing pretty hard, it was challenging to get a clear photo.

Lots of schools in the area have already announced they will be closed tomorrow. With any luck, we may have a SNOW DAY from work, too!